Minnesota Timberwolves: Another conflicting report on new ownership

Just days after a report that the incoming Minnesota Timberwolves ownership group had not even discussed moving the franchise, another local reporter has a decidedly different take.

What does it all mean? Will they or won’t they? What are the deciding factors surrounding whether or not the team will move? Will we even know what the answer is for years to come?

Walters: Alex Rodriguez wants to move the Minnesota Timberwolves to Seattle

Just last week, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported that the incoming ownership group, led by tech billionaire Marc Lore and former Major League Baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez, has not even had discussions regarding a potential relocation of the Timberwolves franchise.

Now, Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press reports otherwise.

"There’s buzz now that Kevin Garnett, who is said to be worth more than $200 million, will be heavily involved in the Timberwolves basketball department if he joins franchise investors Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore if/when they gain full control in 2023. The word is Garnett, the ex-Timberwolf, wants the franchise to remain in Minnesota but Rodriguez wants to move it to Seattle, where he played for seven seasons."

There are a couple of things to unpack here.

First, the Kevin Garnett piece. Garnett has been rumored to be interested in becoming a part of the new ownership group, although it’s unclear how quickly it’s reasonable to expect that to happen. Remember, Garnett and Taylor aren’t exactly on speaking terms, and in this scenario, both men would be minority shareholders in the team.

The “Rodriguez wants to move the team to Seattle” bit is … interesting. While a frequently-mentioned possibility, there hasn’t been a sourced rumor to date suggesting that it’s truly what A-Rod wants to happen. Until now, that is.

Then again, there isn’t anything resembling sourcing here, just a “the word is” rumor, which is certainly Walters’ style in these articles.

There certainly doesn’t appear any reason for panic if you’re a Timberwolves fan. All of the reasons why it’s unlikely that the franchise will move still apply, regardless of whether or not Rodriguez and/or Lore are interested in relocation — which we still don’t know for sure that they even want to do.

This truly feels like it’s still only the early stages of the rumor mill surrounding this transaction. With big names like Rodriguez and Lore involved and Garnett still apparently part of the conversation, there is plenty yet to unfold.

Stay tuned.